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I find the forums interesting and informative,but could I ask everyone to do a quick proof read before posting?There have been a lot of posts lately where the meaning has been lost or missed;

"My grand is 5'10 and I would want to go any smaller..."

meaning "I would not want to go any smaller".Many more examples and, yes,I am making allowances for those whose first language is not English.

Please!

I know just what you mean. It is very easy to miss the details while composing and sending off these little missives. And it's not just grammar but sometimes typographical errors show up as well.

For example, there was recently a post on proofreading in which the well-meaning author repeatedly missed inserting the spaces that should follow commas and separate sentences. Errors like this break up the flow of ideas almost as much as the outmoded practice of inserting two spaces between sentences. I'm sure you noticed it.... :>)

English is my fourth language, but that is no excuse for not learning how to spell it. But, education is no longer what is used to be. From the posts on Facebook from all my Norwegian friends, I realize that spelling is a lost art back there as well. The only ones who still seem to have a grip on spelling and grammar, are the Germans. And they have the toughest rules of all. Maybe that's what keeps them on their toes....

_________________________
Some men are music lovers. Others make love without it.

Hey Lushley1--While we're on the subject, in the US at least, "proofread" is one word. You need a space after punctuating the end of a sentence before beginning the next one. A semicolon is used to separate two complete clauses, and punctuation goes to the left of a quotation mark.

Physician, heal thyself!

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Most of the replies here are missing the point that OP was trying to make. He's not nitpicking over trivial grammar and syntax details, as many of the replies seem to insinuate. He simply pointed out that simple typographical errors can completely alter the meaning of what the author intended to write. In his example, a poster said "would want" instead of "would not want".

At best, readers will notice the incongruity and make a mental correction. "My grand is 5'10 and I would want to go any smaller..." does not make sense given the context (the preceding statement was "I've liked the sound of many large uprights more than small grands.", so the idea of going for a smaller grand would be in contradiction.)

Or even worse, it inspires somebody write a post pointing it out to everybody, only to demonstrate that proofreading ultimately doesn't matter... because we'll find a way to misunderstand you in spite of it!